Wisconsin School for the Deaf - The Wisconsin Times Vol. 134 No. 2 Winter 2012-2013 | Page 5
Deaf Community Connections
EDITOR’S NOTE: WSD aims to develop the whole child: academically, culturally, linguistically, socially, and
emotionally. In this issue the writers have highlighted several articles that reach out to and connect with the
Deaf Community: an historical Deaf hertitage Christmas story, the annual college fair, exposure to international
interactions as well as a story of role modeling language from high school to pre-school students.
Christmas at WSD in the 1940’s, By: Lori Lindau, retold by the Lees
Two of our treasured WSD Alums, Milton and Joy Lee, were asked to share their memories of Christmas at WSD from the
past. The Lees not only shared their own memories, they contacted some of their schoolmates to help provide even more details.
Shared below are their treasured memories.
When we were young students at WSD, in the 1940’s, Santa Claus visited all of the students in the classrooms.
We did not have Christmas programs like they do today. However, we have thoroughly enjoyed watching the
entertaining Christmas plays performed by WSD students through the years. Instead of a play, students and
staff of long ago, had a very nice Christmas banquet in the dining room. There was a head table for important
people including the Director of the Bureau for Handicapped Children. Students were thrilled to eat dinner and
chat with teachers, childcare counselors, and VIPs.
Often times, parents could not afford the travel expenses; therefore, many students including Milton stayed at
WSD during the Christmas holidays. Milton did not go home for Christmas for FOUR years. Santa Claus went
to the boys’ and girls’ dormitories to deliver a bag of Christmas candy to each student.
In 1942, the new superintendent Valentine Becker required that all the students go home for Christmas no
matter where they lived. Before departing for home all of the students went to the gym in Hannan Hall to get
some Christmas candy. The gym in Hannon Hall is now named the Milton A. Lee Gymnasium. Superintendent
Becker also gave a short speech about the spirit of Christmas.
In the late 1940’s, August Kastner who was the boys’ childcare counselor installed a Santa Claus prop and
sleigh in front of Ariadna Hall which was the girl’s dormitory. The right arm of Santa Claus would swing
back and forth as if waving to everyone who passed. We looked forward to seeing that Santa year after year.
Kastner also decorated small trees around campus with lights. It was a beautiful holiday scene. We would love
to visit WSD during the holidays and see those beautiful decorations again.
LEFT: Adorable Emily Kohen par cipates in the 2012 Christmas gi exchange.
ABOVE: Santa and his Elves make a surprise visit during the elementary gi
exchange.
Winter 2013 - 5